*Babe Ruth Thread*

[SHOELESSJOE3]

Thanks Shoeless. I had a little mini-debate with what I call "Ruth birthers" who claim Ruth had a black father. When I showed them them the famous Babe and dad photo in the saloon one guy claimed that that was not Ruth's father but the uncle who killed Ruth's dad.

Wonder if they just twisted that event that took place in front of his dad's saloon.
From what I read some years ago Babe's father had some trouble with a patron in the saloon. The fight took to the street and Babe's dad struck by the man, fell and hit his head, he died. Later story said the man was Babe's dad's brother-in-law.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

I know, huh? What are people thinking?


Babe Dad.jpg

That's probably the best pic of his dad. I see the old man has a cigar in hand.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Wonder if they just twisted that event that took place in front of his dad's saloon.
From what I read some years ago Babe's father had some trouble with a patron in the saloon. The fight took to the street and Babe's dad struck by the man, fell and hit his head, he died. Later story said the man was Babe's dad's brother-in-law.

Some people have an agenda. They want to co-op the Babe for their own socio-political purposes.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

So until few days ago I had no idea there are a small group of "Babe Ruth birthers" who truly believe Babe Ruth is black. At first I thought they were joking but it turns out they are quite serious. It's the most bizarre thing I've heard in a long time.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

This started around 2001. In Gotham Magazine Spike Lee asked the question, was Babe Ruth black. The magazine gets silly saying, you can't prove he was not black
You may not recall, this was discussed on this board in 2008. The thread stated on1-9-2008 by member Wdl. In fact you posted a reply to that on 1-9-2008.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

The first "Unofficial" home run at Yankee Stadium, Feb.19,1923. Babe first homer pic.jpg

[Floyd Gondolli]

Anyone have thoughts on Babe's (most up do date) base running and fielding metrics? Retrosheet is mostly complete back through 1918, now.

How do his skills pan out?

[layson27]

Thress has him as a slight negative on the bases, but retrosheet only has complete play by play based data back to 1932.
http://baseball.tomthress.com/StatTa...0.333333333333

It's plausible he could be a plus on the bases when all the data comes in.


Ruth's fielding record:
http://baseball.tomthress.com/StatTa...0.333333333333

He looks like a net neutral now, but that could change. Of the others, TZ loves his fielding but DRA only likes it.

[GiambiJuice]

Seasons with .350 BA, .475 OBP, .700 SLG, 40 HR, 130 Runs:

Babe Ruth - 8
All other players combined - 0

[SHOELESSJOE3]

It appears that George Ruth really knew the game. Later it was found the 1930 NL ball was made livelier.
Babe and the ball 2.JPG

[oddsox1919]

Wish I could see that pic of the Babe with holding black orphan.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

I have seen that one and one other pic, Babe standing with a white and black youngster.. At this time looking for a flash drive full of Babe newspaper articles and also hundreds of photos of old parks. It has to be here, where I don't know. Will post that pic if I find that drive.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

A part of Babe's Bosox contract, seasons 1916-17.
Babe Ruth contract 2222.JPG

[SHOELESSJOE3]

Wish I could see that pic of the Babe with holding black orphan.

No luck finding that one in my saved folders. Still searching for my missing flash drive loaded with Babe photos. You may have seen this one taken at an orphanage with children and one at an exhibition game. Blacks who played against Babe in exhibition games had praise for him. Appears they viewed him as seeing them with no prejudice, they got along fine.

Babe Ruth black boy.jpg Babe Ruth black fans.jpg

[SHOELESSJOE3]

This article was not picked up by any of the white big newspapers. Ruth saw no class distinction or color. If you were the president or a doorman, you were in the same class. Same with skin color. Here he praises the black players and their ability to play the game.

babe in praise of black players.jpg